Finance Manager at Samuel Hall
Samuel Hall is seeking an experienced and professional Finance Manager (FM) to join its team for a full-time position based in our Nairobi (Kenya) Office. The FM is responsible to oversee and consolidate the Finances of Samuel Hall on a global level and support country-teams where needed. As an integral part of the Senior Management Team, the FM will be required to frequently travel to country offices to support local teams.
Who we are: Objectives and Ethos
Samuel Hall (www.samuelhall.org) is an independent think tank specialised in field research and social impact. We provide practicable insights to challenging issues in the developing world by providing academic-standard research through primary data collection in areas where researchers do not commonly go. Samuel Hall works with governments, donors, multilateral organisations and INGOs, as well public and private sector entities. We have worked with more than sixty-five organisations worldwide since 2009 through our offices in Afghanistan, Kenya and Somalia covering Asia and Africa.
We look for pro-active, creative individuals who can identify opportunities to make their mark, and identify solutions to problems. We believe in hiring people who can show their ability to be both strong leaders and reliable team members, who have skills that our team currently lacks and who join us to add value from the very start. We hire people who can expand our knowledge, and help us reach our social impact objective in their field of expertise. We work in a fast-paced, demanding and challenging environment: you will need thick skin, passion and dedication!
Job Profile
The Finance Manager (FM) works directly under the supervision of the OD to ensure SH financial management is implemented in accordance with SH procedures and SOPs. The position is based within Samuel Hall HQ in Nairobi.
All management roles within Samuel Hall require flexibility of working hours as well as travel being a central part of the role. The FM will be required to travel a significant amount of time to Samuel Hall offices and areas of operation.
Vacancy Requirements
Applicants will need to possess and demonstrate the following qualifications and transferable skills:
• Advanced university degree with a minimum of 4 years of higher education
• At least 5 years of experience in senior finance positions
• Preferred background: working in areas of geographic operation (Afghanistan, Kenya, Central Asia/East Africa)
• Proven experience within the humanitarian/development sector
• Excellent experience in grants management
• Complete written and oral fluency in English; fluency in French desirable
• Exceptional knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Certified Accountant
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills
• Solid communications skills; verbal and written
• Strong prioritisation Skills
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• Result oriented
• A successful track record in improving productivity, cost control, quality and service
• Knowledge of xero, as an accounting software
• Good IT skills and working knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and financial modelling
• Ability to adapt and work well within a team
• Ability to cope well under pressure, work occasionally irregular hours and meet tight deadlines
Terms of References
Consolidation of financial accounts and systems: The FM is responsible for the consolidation of all financial accounts and systems of Samuel Hall through xero.
• Responsible to manage all financial staff in SH offices
• Responsible for all financial matters
• Petty cash
• Banking and payments
• Reconciliation
• Responsible for restructuring of the financial system
• internal coherence and international accounting standards
• Responsible for correct storage in the financial software and GD for all relevant financial documents
• Any contract including the payment of receipt of monies
• Any receipts for reimbursements
• Responsible for organising financial documents
• Including audits (globally/country office level)
Cash flow: Responsible for adequate cash flow forecast – to ensure that all aspects of SH operations have agreed levels of accessible finances (based on available and expected funds) to function for a three-month period as per SMT direction.
• Responsible for cash flow operations
• Responsible for a 6-month cash flow forecast
• Liaise with OD for approval of forecast
• Cash flow management
• Provide solutions for any cash flow tension between Country Offices
• Liaise with Country Team (CR and Finance) for country-based cash flow forecast
Financial focal point for stakeholders (internal and external)
• Advise all RPTs on contractual obligations, invoicing and other financial matters
• Advise the Country Representative on country-based weekly financial updates
• Responsible for the oversight of all financial contractual obligations with clients
• First review of all contracts
• Payment structure
• Follow-up invoicing
• Responsible for the development and management of project and proposal budgets
• Approval of all fieldwork budgets
• Responsible for the coordination with the financial advisers for consolidated monthly reports and following all international guidelines
Reporting
• Responsible for preparing financial notes
• Monthly for the OD and Directors at the 25th of the month for the next one
• Weekly for the SMT using the standard template
• Advise the OD, Directors, board or other external stakeholders on any financial matter or questions
• Responsible for financial forecasting (for all offices)
• Monthly, for the next 6 months
• Annually, for the next 5 years
• Responsible for any investigation of financial mismanagement, fraud and diversion
HOW TO APPLY:
This is a vacancy announcement for Kenyan nationals only.
Each application should be send to careers@samuelhall.org entailing the following:
• Subject Line: Full name of Applicant – Application Finance Manager
• Up-to-date CV
• Cover Letter (not more than 2 pages) outlining the qualifications and providing details on all mentioned vacancy requirements
• Copies of all diplomas and certifications
• Support letters from three references
• Additional names of three references
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis and all shortlisted candidates will be invited to Nairobi for a final in-person interview process.
Only complete applications will be considered, and applications with generic cover letters will not be short-listed. Samuel Hall is an equal employer and encourages everyone to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If no contact has been made within two weeks of the vacancy closure, the application shall be unsuccessful.